User groups Bridging the gap As a forum for sharing knowledge, best practice and suggestions for product improvements, independent user groups are hard to beat just ask Imperial or product and service providers, the challenge is always to drive innovation to retain a competitive edge. For recipients of these services and products, it is to maximise resources to meet operational requirements, financial demands and shifting priorities. An independent and dynamic user group can help bridge the gap between these seemingly contrasting objectives. With advances in technologies, growing demands for operational efficiencies and the increasing significance of connectivity, the need for effective and well-supported user groups has never been greater, says Ashley Bijster, managing director of Imperial, which develops and provides intelligence-led software solutions for parking enforcement and traffic management. F Chair Glynnis Jeavons speaking at the recent Imperial User Group meeting Set up in the 1990s, the Imperial User Group operates independently of the supplier and holds biannual meetings at various locations around the country. The current chair is Glynnis Jeavons, parking services manager at Walsall Council. We all face similar professional challenges, so the user group offers a really useful forum for sharing experiences, new ideas and best practice, she says. We have complete freedom to run the group and manage the meetings, but Imperial always responds very positively to our work. Sharing knowledge Each meeting includes product and legislation updates from Imperial. Recently, for example, users were given a demonstration of the new web interface for Imperials 3sixty software system, while other meetings have featured guidance on legislative changes, such as the General Data Protection Regulation. Guest speakers are also invited and have included representatives from Disabled Motoring UK, Waysphere, the BPA and Easytrip. The insight and knowledge of external speakers is invaluable, and helps us keep pace with new and emerging technologies, says Andy Champ, network operations manager at Essex Highways and vice-chair of the group. In the most recent meeting, for example, there was an open discussion around enforcement for littering from vehicles. The group also presents a collective voice when liaising with government departments, lobby groups or shared suppliers. Our campaign to encourage the DVLA to talk openly with users like ourselves is a good case in point, says Jeavons. With the support of the BPA, Imperial and the transport minister, it led to the formation of a DVLA Focus Group. This is well attended by officers from the licensing authority and has helped to overcome many misunderstandings and frustrations. An industry first Imperial encourages requests from the user group for product adjustments and enhancements, and a separate steering group assesses these development suggestions. This two-tier approach to user engagement was an industry first when it was introduced and is now an exemplar for other software developers and technology service providers. Such positive engagement in the product-development cycle has certainly raised the stature and purpose of the user group, says Jeavons. The insight and knowledge of external speakers is invaluable, and helps us keep pace with new and emerging technologies Imperials sales team manager Mandy Watson at the meeting in Northampton 32 britishparking.co.uk PNFeb19 pp32-33 Commercial Feature.indd 32 23/01/2019 13:22